Virtual Musashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Enmei-ji Temple

 

     Enmei-ji Temple, which enshrines a statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, was founded by Monk Seisen in 1295, and was revived by the Tobari Family sometime between 1573 and 1593.

     When Monk Seisen was wandering in the Tokai Region, he visited Hiranuma Village, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province, in 1295.  The villagers liked him and built a hermitage for him.  In 1372, Priest Yugi changed the hermitage to a temple and named it Enmei-ji.  Priest Yuhan revived the temple in 1446.

     After Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439), the 4th Kanto Deputy Shogun, was cornered to kill himself, only his 4th son, Shigeuji (1438-1497), survived and became the 5th Kanto Deputy Shogun in 1446.  Enmei-ji Temple might have been burned down in one of the battles.  As the precincts have a ibabi dated 1446, its builder might have been killed in one of the battles.

     The Tobari Family were first based in Tobari Castle in Katsushika County, Shimousa Province, and moved to Yoshikawa, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province.  They were subject to the Yanada Family, who were based in Sekiyado Castle in Katsushika County, Shimousa Province.

     Ashikaga Yoshiuji (1541-1583), the 5th and last Koga Kanto Deputy Shogun, celebrated his coming of age in Kasai Castle in Katsushika County.  The Yanada Family worked and fought for Yoshiuji, and, accordingly, the Tobari Family worked and fought for him too.

     After the death of Yoshiuji, the Tobari Family became farmers and lived in Hiranuma Village.  The temple might have been burned down when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) attacked the Later Hojo Clan, and might have been rebuilt by the Tobari Family in 1590's.

     The temple bell still says that it was presented by Tobari Goemon in 1684, and was re-casted in 1776.

Address: 1541 Yoshikawa, Saitama 342-0055

Phone: 048-982-1590